A California Man Met a Woman on Tinder Who Had Another Lover. So, He Tortured Her, Got His Love Rival's Address and Killed Him.

A California man was sentenced to 71 years to life in prison after he met a woman on Tinder in 2021 and their relationship ended in a “horrific love triangle murder,” authorities said.

In August 2021, Damon Allen Benson, 31, held a woman he met on Tinder against her will at his apartment, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.

Benson tortured the victim, who is of Jewish descent, on multiple occasions, including carving a Swastika into her back while she was tied to his ceiling with a rope.

Authorities determined Benson tortured the victim in order to get the address of her other male lover, whom she also met on Tinder, so he could murder him.

Officials said Benson ambushed the male victim, whose identity was not revealed, in his home and killed him in his room before Benson fled the scene.

Benson told authorities his actions were in self-defense, but surveillance footage showed Benson running into the victim’s house in the middle of the night, the eruption of gunfire and then Benson running out of the house yelling, “That’s right, [expletive].”

Benson was arrested and faced multiple charges, including murder, aggravated mayhem, torture, felony criminal threats, false imprisonment by violence and more.

In September 2023, a jury found Benson guilty of murdering the victim with premeditation and intent, officials said.

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On Dec. 19, a judge sentenced Benson to 71 years to life in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for murder, torture and mayhem.

In a statement, Supervising Deputy District Attorney Jeffery Moore said, “This is a day for justice for the victim and the victim’s family…The defendant shows a clear danger to the public and a callous disregard for human life. Removing Benson from society is the only way to ensure he doesn’t victimize anyone again.”